tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93787202011-08-29T10:39:18.095-07:005 stars - grrreat 4 stars - very good 3 stars - eeh...it's ok 2 stars - slightly redeemable 1 star - baaaaadAlice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.comBlogger881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-29696595703037842052008-05-18T19:13:00.000-07:002008-05-18T19:18:46.958-07:00

I like to go to Grand Central Market on a weekly basis because I can buy produce for dirt cheap, and it reminds me of my beloved Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver, BC. Although GCM is a ghetto version of Granville Island, it's an endearing ghetto version. While Granville Island has charm and a semi-posh feel, GCM has character and grit. And I love both equally but for different reasons.

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-28109697948511432322008-04-02T14:50:00.000-07:002008-04-03T08:46:19.335-07:00

After hearing many positive references to La Estrella, particularly in regards to the fish tacos, I finally had to check out this renown taco stand for myself. I ordered two fish tacos, and when I got my plate I gasped at the size of them: two giant mounds of fried battered fish doused with a gooey mess of sour cream, shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, and cilantro resting on corn tortillas that

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1106658057330524442008-03-02T08:37:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:58:07.975-08:00

What a glorious building! Union Station is probably my favorite building in Los Angeles. And I feel extremely fortunate to be able to traverse through this architectural gem on a frequent basis, given that I take the Metro Gold Line at least once a week and pass through the station in order to connect to the Red Line.My breath is taken away every time I walk through the waiting room. The lofty

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-16504829341380817922008-03-01T16:30:00.000-08:002008-03-01T18:32:07.933-08:00

More reasons to love Scoops! Last night my friends and I went to indulge in some exotic gelato goodness but we arrived just as it was closing. Tai Kim, proprietor and gelato master, just hands me a pint of free gelato. That's right, FREE strawberry kiwi gelato. He's saint. I believe people who are in the gelato business are people who have been called to bring a bit of joy to humanity. Ice cream

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-11186994547700534752008-02-23T16:17:00.000-08:002008-02-23T16:19:41.545-08:00

I’m not entirely certain if “divine” sufficiently describes the awesomeness that is the lemon bar that Europane makes. Europane has, hands down, perfected the lemon bar in all its lemony goodness and the buttery shortbread crust on which it rests. It has the right amount of sweetness offset by the right amount of tartness. Taking small bites of it with sips of green tea in between is the ultimate

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-36610420886521523182008-01-29T16:38:00.000-08:002008-01-29T16:45:13.580-08:00

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, the huevos rancheros served up at Tonny's was amazing. Huevos rancheros is my favorite Mexican dish, and if it's on the menu, I almost always order it. It's been a long time since I enjoyed huevos rancheros this yummy. The eggs were smothered with a red sauce that did not disappoint, but tasted just right. Usually the red sauce is where most HR dishes fail. The mexican rice was

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-65394842925348767092008-01-16T19:04:00.000-08:002008-01-16T19:09:17.247-08:00

Going to Pure Luck was my first venture into vegan cuisine, and even as a semi-vegetarian I couldn’t help but be a bit apprehensive about how the food would taste. However, my fears were quelled at first bite. I was quite impressed by how flavorful the food was, and I ended up being very satisfied with my meal. I ordered the torta, a big mess of an open-faced sandwich that comes with jackfruit “

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-16853449632221043552007-12-05T17:35:00.000-08:002007-12-05T17:40:26.964-08:00

I was rather surprised and disappointed by how rudimentary the light displays were because I think I was expecting something Vegas-esque. I've seen better in the neighborhood of Hancock Park where some homes go all out and do some outlandish things with lights that I never imagined possible. This was definitely not worth the two hour wait. The whole time I kept worrying about toxic car emission

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-12914230048983020442007-11-26T21:18:00.000-08:002007-11-26T21:23:36.318-08:00

This small Japanese cafe on Robson Street specializes in delectable, pretty-to-look-at parfaits. I've enjoyed the green tea and the tiramisu parfaits, both of which were divine. The green tea consists of layers of green tea ice cream, vanilla ice cream, green tea jello, rice balls, red bean, and whipped cream. The tiramisu parfait is layered with cornflakes, strawberries, vanilla ice cream dusted

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-36264927361409155612007-10-31T21:10:00.000-07:002007-10-31T22:02:15.475-07:00

I hopped on the bike this afternoon and rode east along Sierra Madre Boulevard, a rather picturesque and surprisingly serene major artery running along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, until I arrived at Beantown Coffee Bar in the heart of Sierra Madre. The coffee shop is in a very charming and quaint part of town that is very reminiscent of Montrose Village, north of Glendale.After

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-43965661991114953772007-10-10T19:59:00.000-07:002007-10-10T22:08:50.911-07:00

I'm more of a pancakes kind of girl, but I think Patisserie Lebeau has made a good case for waffles, the Belgian variety that is. I ordered the combo, which comes with a big, tender piece of soft, warm waffle dusted with powdered sugar accompanied by fresh fruit, whipped cream, and custard. I was a bit disappointed with the texture of the custard though. It was not as airy and light as I would

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-35987446943535462012007-10-06T11:23:00.000-07:002007-10-10T22:09:21.942-07:00

This old-school diner frequented by downtown hipsters may be in the more "seedy" part of Granville Street (it's just a couple doors down from a sex shop) but it boasts of the best french fries on the planet. They are perfection incarnate: crispy on the outside and soft with potatoey goodness in the inside. Yes, it actually tastes like potato! How novel is that? They are truly the best I have ever

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1150958379219964442006-06-21T23:39:00.000-07:002006-06-21T23:39:39.233-07:00

I tried a new Mexican joint in downtown today for lunch. I went to Tacos Mexico Rico not only to see if their food is any good, but also to watch the soccer game between Argentina vs. Netherlands. I ordered the day's special which was enchiladas. I had the vegetarian version, which came stuffed with green peppers, mushrooms, and onions, topped with red sauce (green sauce is also another option).

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1150407008319147232006-06-15T14:28:00.000-07:002006-06-15T14:30:08.340-07:00

I'm really digging the following songs. Of course, I first heard them on KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic"--the ultimate source for all the cool music in the world. Most of these songs can be heard currently on the show. "You're All I Have" by Snow Patrol: Reminds me of the kind of songs I heard in the 90's. It's a rock-pop song with lyrics that are even kinda romantic, but in an adolescent kind

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1148602963511906672006-05-25T17:22:00.000-07:002006-05-25T17:22:43.523-07:00

Finally fulfilled my dream of swing dancing at The Derby. It was crowded and many people came outfitted in vintage wear from head to toe. Lots of the women had 40s-style hair updos and looked really cute. The only thing that annoyed me were the two separate dance floors. The one in front of the band was tiny and all the good dancers were hogging it up, so I had to dance in the back room where the

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1146085937327169812006-04-26T14:07:00.000-07:002006-04-26T14:12:17.343-07:00

Salmon Burger (with aioli): GoodFries: GoodKetchup: GoodDining in the patio on a sunny spring day with good people: Priceless2095 W. 4th Ave.Vancouver, BC604-732-6810::4.5 stars::

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1146023370106735112006-04-25T20:42:00.000-07:002006-04-25T21:04:43.396-07:00

Finally managed to eat at Topanga Cafe, a Mexican restaurant. I was mighty impressed with their chile relleno. It tasted like the ones I've had in L.A. I also tried their burrito which can be filled with your choice of beef, chicken, beans or eggplant. I asked for a mixture of beans and eggplant. The entree platter comes with rice and black beans.The burrito came topped with crema and a black

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1143699177246606362006-03-29T20:53:00.000-08:002006-03-29T22:14:20.213-08:00

I lunched at Lonsdale Quay this weekend and ordered the tamales at Jalisco. I try to eat something different each time I go. I had one tamale stuffed with beans and one stuffed with green chiles (chicken and beef options are also available). They were a bit dry (which is hard to avoid in tamales) but tasty nevertheless. The platter came with mexican rice, shredded iceberg lettuce topped with

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1143508559970476752006-03-27T17:15:00.000-08:002006-03-27T17:17:20.186-08:00

One of the best falafels I've tasted in Vancouver was surprisingly in the food court at the Oakridge shopping mall. Who would have thunk? They actually fry it fresh (I saw it with my own two eyes), so none of the microwave reheat business that most Middle Eastern joints annoyingly and appallingly do here. The falafels are very flavorful and slightly spicy. The falafel pita sandwich I ordered

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1141781800004200612006-03-07T17:34:00.000-08:002006-03-07T17:36:40.020-08:00

Looking for the best cup of authentic chai? Then get yourself to Granville Island Tea Co. in the Granville Island Public Market. It's the best. You can also buy their chai mix and make it at home. The owners are super nice and friendly. After grabbing your cup of chai, head over to Terra Breads and try one of their scones or a slice of delectable grape bread. #117, 1689 Johnston St.Vancouver, BC.

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1140500822664771222006-02-20T21:46:00.000-08:002006-02-20T21:47:02.676-08:00

You must try the croissant at Patisserie Bordeaux. I think they're the best I've ever had. Crispy and flaky on the outside, and soft, buttery on the inside. It's perfection incarnate. I've also tried their brioche and fruit danishes. Whenever I walk into this bakery, I'm at a loss as to what to choose because everything looks so pretty and yummylicious. Open 7 days a week.3675 W. 10th Ave. @ Alma

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1135917593632760512005-12-29T20:39:00.000-08:002005-12-29T20:40:32.513-08:00

There's finally an Argentine restaurant in Vancouver! It's about time. It's the only one I know of and I had lunch there today. I was quite impressed with their menu because I recognized almost all the dishes. It resembled any menu you would see at a restaurant in Buenos Aires. I ordered gnocchi and you get to choose either tomato, alfredo, or creamy tomato sauce, so I chose the last one.

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1134444347053912752005-12-12T19:22:00.000-08:002005-12-12T19:25:47.066-08:00

I went to this really cool restaurant in downtown that I instantly fell in love with as soon as I walked in and sat at the table. I love the decor, which is mostly dark wood and gives it a sexy, smoky, and sophisticated ambience. The food is just as excellent as the interior design. The flavours are subtle but powerful. Hapa is all about Japanese "tapas." But there's also pan-Asian fusion going

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1122684653782230982005-07-29T17:49:00.000-07:002005-07-29T17:50:53.786-07:00

The BEST can be found at Lonsdale Quay (pronounced "key" as I was embarrassingly corrected all so long ago). It boasts of the best Mexican food, the best falafel, and the best pavlova in Greater Vancouver. As a chick from SoCal I'm always craving good Mexican food. I've tried a few places in Vancouver (most of them disappointing), and I must say that Jalisco comes closest to the kind of Mexican

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1122338847340483492005-07-25T17:44:00.000-07:002005-07-25T17:49:36.213-07:00

I love Woody Allen films. I appreciate their simplicity. I enjoy the great dialogue. The characters are usually interesting. I like how his films are human-centered--no shoot-em-up-let's-blow-up-the-whole-world crap here. And Allen's latest flick reminds me once again why I enjoy his work so much.Melinda and Melinda is about the life of woman that is told in two ways: as tragedy and comedy. Two

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1119401815346978682005-06-21T17:55:00.000-07:002005-11-16T10:29:38.050-08:00

UPDATE: This cafe is now a new cafe called Higher Grounds. I’ve been on an informal quest to find a café in Vancouver that plays decent music. Blenheim St. Café plays decent music - mostly chillout-syle electronic music and Jack Johnson, who’s not my favorite but I don’t mind his music once in a while, especially on a summery day. The volume is set just right so it’s not too intrusive while I

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1104484892859000142004-12-31T01:21:00.000-08:002004-12-31T18:48:16.283-08:00

Lunch was had at Rangoli today in the South Granville area. It’s next to Vij’s whose chef is hot in the Vancouver restaurant scene right now according to my friend. The chef opened Rangoli as a more casual, trendy Indian restaurant that specializes in vacuum sealed food-to-go packets but of course you can sit down and have a delicious meal in one of their tiny tables which I loved because it

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102061383309203502004-12-03T01:08:00.000-08:002004-12-03T00:09:43.310-08:00

Vancouver edition coming soon in early 2005. Stay tuned.

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102020146290243812004-12-02T13:41:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:42:26.290-08:00

This is a dangerous album. It's got me feeling amorous and believing in romance again. Shoot, I'm done for. As soon as I heard the first song, it felt as if I had heard Kent before. I think her songs have been used in countless commercials (to peddle cars, perfume and other lifestyle products), at J. Crew, at Banana Republic, and in romantic commedies. She just sounds so familiar. Be warned, this

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102020009157374382004-12-02T13:39:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:41:02.066-08:00

Walking down the streets of this once-feared (I suppose it still is) neighborhood on a sunny and mild Sunday afternoon turned out to be quite the pleasant experience. And no, my friend and I were not the only lonely souls braving the sidewalks. People of Echo Park are of that rare ambulant variety. I almost felt like I was in a foreign country where pedestrian activity is more widely practiced as

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102019926814582612004-12-02T13:37:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:38:46.816-08:00

WHAT A BLOODY GREAT BAND! I'm absolutely enamored. I See Hawks in L.A. is an alt-country, cosmic cowboy band whose music is an amalgamation of hillbilly, honky-tonk, old school country, bluegrass, country-rock, and psychedelic country. They play the kind of country music I like: REAL country. None of that country-pop garbage that's on constant rotation on mainstream country radio stations. I

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102019695401034412004-12-02T13:33:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:34:55.403-08:00

Finally managed to get into the Hotel Cafe last night. Once inside, I finally understood why the last show I attempted to get into was sold out. The bloody place is the size of a living room! My friend Julie invited me to go see Sara Bareilles perform with her band. I never heard of her before and didn't really know what to expect. Julie simply told me she was a singer-songwriter, so I expected

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102019576571418032004-12-02T13:31:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:32:56.570-08:00

Do yourself a big favor and get on over to Bossa Nova. Quick! This Brazillian restaurant boasts of a huge menu, offering a wide selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, and items from the grill. And it's all pretty affordable - nearly everything is under $10. I ordered a grilled vegetables platter that came with rice and beans, salsa, and fried plantains. I especially

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102019377391689382004-12-02T13:28:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:29:37.393-08:00

If soaring vocals and sentimental lyrics driven by emotional, sweeping music strikes your fancy, then Keane may be to your liking. This UK band has been compared to Coldplay, but which up-and-coming band has NOT been likened to Mr. Paltrow's band? What gives Keane its one-of-a-kind sound is the prominence of the piano. No guitars in this trio, which is a refreshing break from the acoustic guitar

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102019291922154662004-12-02T13:27:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:28:11.923-08:00

SILVERLAKE has become a bit of a mythical place for me. A sort of bohemian Camelot. Ever since its gentrification (hence sending rent prices up and driving away the working class that lived there before), much ink has been spilled over this hip, happenin' neighborhood where all the cool, trendy people live now. The kind of crowd I saw myself rubbing shoulders with: graphic designers, writers,

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102019210212824922004-12-02T13:25:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:26:50.213-08:00

Dan Neil is fast becoming one of my favorite modern-day writers. I think he is a genius. The ultimate writing machine. OK, maybe I'm getting carried away a little here. But man, is he goooood. Mr. Neil won a Pulitzer this year for his meritorious writing achievements. Achievements, indeed, because everything I've read so far by this fine writer is worthy of praise, prizes, and more Pulitzers. He

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102019131741944662004-12-02T13:23:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:25:31.740-08:00

Well, first I must say something about the newly remodeled Bowl shell. At first sight, I didn't like it one bit. I missed the spheres that looked like they were floating ethereally above the musicians. And I was also grossed out by the giant four screens that flanked the sides of the amphitheatre. How tacky, I thought. Anyway, after Saturday night, the Bowl makeover is starting to grow on me. I

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102019019652100842004-12-02T13:22:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:23:39.653-08:00

This week I checked out the Beyond Geometry exhibit at LACMA and it was quite the experience. It features modern abstract art, which is my favorite kind. So as soon as I entered the Anderson building and my eyes beheld what was in there, I entered "the zone." I haven't been there for a while. I loved almost everything I saw. My eyes are automatically drawn to lines, so I love any artwork that has

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102018839774101342004-12-02T13:18:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:20:39.773-08:00

I wish I had known about this place from way before. Who knew that such a charming place existed in L.A.? Eat a Pita is a Middle Eastern fast food stand but what makes it special is the outdoor covered patio dining area complete with a water fountain in the middle. The soothing sound of water trickling provides the soundtrack to your dining experience. It felt like I was in Italy, where water

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102018701566990582004-12-02T13:17:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:18:21.566-08:00

I recently re-read Nine Stories again because I couldn't find my copy of Franny and Zooey, my favorite Salinger book. I had the urge to read something that was set in New York city, and I love the way Salinger portrays the city in the pre-50's era. I first read Salinger's collection of short stories back in my teens. I thought I had read every one of those nine stories, but it turns out that I

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102018635862627602004-12-02T13:16:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:17:15.863-08:00

Ashes of Time is not your typical action-packed martial arts movie. Instead it's an exploration of the psyche of a group of melancholic swordsmen-for-hire out in the Chinese desert. Hence, this film suffers from inaction. They are all despondent lovelorn characters who once in a while wield their swords when it's called for then crawl back to their doldrums. Anyway, I found this to be a messy

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102018571842466752004-12-02T11:18:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:16:11.843-08:00

3 Reasons why I wanted to see this: 1. Directed by Wong Kar-Wai 2. Actor Tony Leung 3. Filmed in Argentina Boy, did this movie make me nostalgic about Buenos Aires. I noticed little mundane details that are probably meaningless to those who've never been there, like the bus stop sign, the plates that food is served on, the way voices resonate because the buildings are all made of cement

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102015120120116712004-12-02T11:17:00.000-08:002004-12-02T11:18:40.120-08:00

I love the art direction in this film. Exquisite. Magical. Charming. Great, heart-warming story centering around a father-son relationship. Towards the end I couldn't stop crying. The last time I cried this much in a movie was another Tim Burton film - Edward Scissorhands. I think I cried in about 80% of the movie. I just took it way too seriously and felt sorry for Edward because he couldn't eat

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102014946124741192004-12-02T11:14:00.000-08:002004-12-02T11:15:46.123-08:00

Don't be fooled by the frivolous title. This ain't your typical romantic comedy. It doesn't come anywhere that genre. Damn slow, but absolutely mesmerizing. This is art in motion. Every scene is beautifully composed and executed. Director Wong Kar-Wai is a genius. Hate to use the word "visionary," but this man clearly is optically gifted. Almost every scene, I'm thinking, How did he think of

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102014854729225032004-12-02T11:13:00.000-08:002004-12-02T11:14:14.730-08:00

In the prequel, Before Sunrise, a young American, Jesse, meets a lovely French girl, Celine, on a train in Europe. They get off in Vienna, frolick through the city while doing a lot of talking, and fall in love. The next morning they have to go their separate ways but promise each other to meet back at the same exact spot six months later. They never do. Before Sunrise picks up their story nine

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102014672130309982004-12-02T11:10:00.000-08:002004-12-02T11:11:12.130-08:00

Third St. and Beverly Blvd. are renown for offering many culinary choices. Ever since I was in Third Street Elementary school I vowed that I would live in that neighborhood when I grow up and eat at every single one of those restaurants. Well, I'm grown up and I still don't live anywhere near the hip yuppy neighborhood that lies between La Brea and La Cienega. But I sure drive out there a lot.

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102014553115484442004-12-02T11:08:00.000-08:002004-12-02T11:09:13.116-08:00

There's been a lot of buzz about this Santa Monica burger joint. So of course, I had to check it out for myself. The idea of the place is that you build your own burger. Each person is given a cute little chart with a checklist of options for you to customize your burger. You check off your type of meat or non-meat (in my case), bun, vegetables, sauce, and cheeses. Cool idea eh? I ordered the

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102014376081948702004-12-02T11:04:00.000-08:002004-12-02T11:07:52.256-08:00

The other night I went to my first Dodger game in more than a decade with my very special b/f whom I love to death. Yeah, my best friend, Francine. Who else did y'all think? Going to a baseball game was surprisingly a very pleasant experience. Quite relaxing with gorgeous views and balmy weather. The Dodgers played the Milwaukee Brewers. Francine and I both didn't know in which state Milwaukee

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102014124685712162004-12-02T10:59:00.000-08:002004-12-02T11:02:04.686-08:00

This albums ROCKS! I prematurely declare it the best album of 2004. Finely produced by Jack White of The White Stripes. He takes Loretta Lynn back to her old school honky-tonk days but with a fresh twist. I like the prominent sound of the electric guitar. This is the first album where she wrote all the songs herself. And boy are we glad she did. Her lyrics are witty, hilarious, keen, and poignant

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102013970083634372004-12-02T10:58:00.000-08:002004-12-02T11:17:24.166-08:00

Best damn movie of the year, and we barely reached the halfway mark of 2004. It was way better than I expected. I'm not too fond of sequels but this one takes the cake. Maybe it's because it didn't seem like a sequel. It was simply the latter half of a super great movie. It's films like this that remind me why I love the movies so much. It was just so fun to watch. Gripping story with visually

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102013876447900842004-12-02T10:57:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:51:33.700-08:00

Alicia Keys is one soulful musician. I'm quite impressed by her talent for someone her age. She's well on her way to becoming a fixture in Diva-dom. The track that caught my attention and made me buy this album was the single, "You Don't Know My Name." I love the old-school R&B sound. Oh man, it sounds sooooo good. It's an ode to old-school soul, and I can't help but adore this song for it. And

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1102013798958485282004-12-02T10:55:00.000-08:002004-12-02T12:49:19.526-08:00

Her new album is quite eclectic. It starts with a great opening number called, "Stop This World." She covers stuff by Tom Waits and Joni Mitchell. But what's unique about this opus is that it includes songs that Krall co-wrote with her husband, Elvis Costello, with music composed by the lady herself. These songs are pretty decent. Moody, some full of atmosphere. What people may not like about

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101947134745926062004-12-01T16:22:00.000-08:002004-12-01T16:25:34.746-08:00

Finally, a movie that admits that romantic relationships can be a pain in the ass. Charlie Kaufman churned out another great script with Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind. Kudos to him for being the only screenwriter these days who draws a crowd solely by his name. Most of you probably already know what this flick is about. Joel (Jim Carrey) wants to have the memory of his ex, Clementine (

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101946624277482822004-12-01T16:16:00.000-08:002004-12-01T16:18:09.100-08:00

I loved this movie. Very original. An artistic achievement in every aspect: writing, directing, acting, cinematography, editing, etc. I'd have to say this was the best movie of 2003 I've seen. This is the biographical dramatization of the underground comicbook writer Harvey Pekar. Even though Harvey is often a jerk and extremely flawed, he is quite lovable. You root for the guy all the way

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101940610389460702004-12-01T14:12:00.000-08:002004-12-01T14:36:50.390-08:00

When a movie is set in Winnipeg, Canada, right away you know it's going to very funny. Or starkly depressing. In this case, it's the former. A beer baroness, played by Isabella Rossellini, decides to throw an international music competition. She offers a $25,000 grand prize to the country that can create the world's saddest music. Since it's set during the Great Depression and being desperate

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101938254532172062004-12-01T13:56:00.000-08:002004-12-01T14:44:40.900-08:00

Got introduced to the world of Chinese director Wong Kar-Wai at the New Beverly Cinema. By the way, the Beverly Cinema is a great movie venue that showcases old films. I've desired to go there for a long time because they show classics that I've always wanted to see on the big screen. Anyway, I watched Wong's Chungking Express. And I LOVED IT. It was quite the cinematic experience. Very

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101932085566136172004-12-01T13:13:00.000-08:002004-12-01T12:14:45.566-08:00

Next destination: France La Promesse takes place in a dismal industrial town in the north of France. It involves three characters, Roger, his son, Igor, and Assita, an African woman. Roger and Igor rent apartments to illegal immigrants. One day, one of the immigrants falls down a scaffold. Before he dies, he makes Igor promise him that he will take care of his wife, Assita, and their infant.

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101931853868456972004-12-01T13:10:00.000-08:002004-12-01T12:10:53.866-08:00

You know what's the cheapest way to satiate the travel bug? Watch foreign films! So after visiting Brazil, the next destination was Italy. Il Postino is a romantic comedy about a humble man named Mario who lives in a small island off Italy. One day, he decides to apply for a job as a mailman and gets hired to deliver mail for only one client, Pablo Neruda, the famous Chilean poet who's been

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101931788971986072004-12-01T13:08:00.000-08:002004-12-01T12:09:48.970-08:00

I saw Bossa Nova for the second time. It's one of my sentimental favorites. It's a Brazilian romantic comedy that takes place in Rio de Janeiro. Oh, Rio! How I want to go there! I let out a gasp each time a random scenic shot appeared feautring different parts of the city, mainly the coastal views. So friggin' beautiful. Anyway, I love this funny, entertaining and endearing film about the chance

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101931703775465562004-12-01T13:06:00.000-08:002004-12-01T12:08:23.776-08:00

A great way to know a city and appreciate it is by taking public transit and walking. Since the majority of the population in Los Angeles do neither, I don’t think people who have lived here for even decades really know this city. Knowing where the nearest freeway on-ramp is and being familiar with all the freeway interchanges does not truly count as knowing L.A. I’ve definitely grown to

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101931572554166922004-12-01T13:05:00.000-08:002004-12-01T12:06:12.556-08:00

I was disappointed. I think it's because I've been wanting to see this movie really badly ever since I saw the trailers for it. Nearly the entire movie just shows the main character sniffing gasoline. Which is gross. How can people get high on that stuff? And Kathy Bates, who I think is one of the best actresses that ever lived, is not utilized enough in this movie. Anyway, this indie movie is

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101866987269822932004-11-30T18:09:00.000-08:002004-11-30T18:09:47.270-08:00

Brilliant. That's all I can say about Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Our Town. Just brilliant. It's been more than a year since the last time I saw a play being performed on stage. Since I can't go watch a play I thought I might as well just read them, which I haven't done since high school. After reading Our Town, it's become the measuring stick by which I will judge all other

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101864826168782072004-11-30T16:30:00.000-08:002004-11-30T17:33:46.166-08:00

Intrigue, unrequited love, an unlikely romance, pasts unearthed, unexpected connections. You'll find all these in Charlotte Bronte's second to last novel, Villette. Like her other famous opus, Jane Eyre, this book is narrated in the first person by a young woman. Villette is about Lucy Snowe, a young English gal who is transplanted to a small town in the north of France. She has no relations and

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101860974419915022004-11-30T16:28:00.000-08:002004-11-30T16:29:34.423-08:00

California has gone insane. That's more reason to explore this great state of ours, and appreciate all its diversity and "loco"-ness. So my friend, Jane, and I hit the road on a madcap romp through Cali. Ok, so it wasn't quite the romp, but it was fun nevertheless. Drove up the dusty 5 to our first destination , Sacramento - our pathetic state capital. I've always had a fondness for Sacramento

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101860743850557492004-11-30T16:15:00.000-08:002004-11-30T16:25:43.850-08:00

Just came back from the Hollywood Bowl. I went with my rowdy home group. Tonight's show was The Great American Concert with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra conducted by John Mauceri. I thought it was going to be mostly Gershwin, Copland, and Bernstein. Well, I was right one out of three. The orchestra performed Copland's Lincoln Portrait. Carol Channing was the first special guest. I never was a

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101858874368245262004-11-30T15:53:00.000-08:002004-12-11T01:15:28.996-08:00

Be a tourist in your own town! My friend and I did a walking tour of Downtown L.A recently. You're probably thinking, Downtown L.A.???? Yes, indeed, there are things to be seen, food to be had, and music to be heard. I recommend the following itinerary: We took the subway (Metro Red Line) from the Wilshire/Vermont station. Street park your car along New Hampshire which is a parallel street one

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101858772445396672004-11-30T15:51:00.000-08:002004-11-30T15:52:52.446-08:00

I looooooove eastmountainsouth. eastmountainsouth is Kat Maslich and Peter Adams. ems is everything I like, mellow, emotional, earthy, haunting, intimate. Americana, folk, a little bit of country, singer/songwriter-ish. simple music. Kinda like Hem but more stripped down. Kat's and Peter's voices blend and meld beautifully. I first heard of ems a while back on KCRW. Then I saw them

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101858612766590642004-11-30T15:49:00.000-08:002004-11-30T15:50:12.793-08:00

I like watching films about musicians - documentaries or dramatized. I love films and music so to get both for the price of one...what more could I ask for? A new one to add to this favorite genre of mine is For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story. It stars Andy Garcia as Sandoval, Cuban trumplet player extraordinaire. Gloria Estfan has a bit part in it, and Charles Dutton portrays Dizzy

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101858471018192072004-11-30T15:46:00.000-08:002004-11-30T15:47:51.016-08:00

Edward Weston. Since the first time I encountered his photographs at LACMA back in the days, I haven't been able to forget the images I saw. They've been burned into my retinas. I think about his work often. And I was absolutely delighted when I saw the street banners advertising the Edward Weston exhibit at The Huntington this summer. To see his photographs again...after all these years...wow...

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101858315465467872004-11-30T15:31:00.000-08:002004-11-30T15:45:15.466-08:00

Woman of The Year is my new favorite movie. It's been a while since I enjoyed watching a movie so much. This is an old Kate Hepburn - Spencer Tracy flick. Actually, it was their first together, and boy, do they define the word "chemistry." It's a comedy drama directed by the great George Stevens. This film is a social commentary on gender and power relations. Hepburn plays Tess and Tracy plays

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101856965014722862004-11-30T15:22:00.000-08:002004-11-30T15:30:05.096-08:00

Don't you just love it when you discover a new artist? This time, it's R&B/Soul singer Heather Headley. She performed this beeeeeeeeeeeautiful song on The Isaac Mizrahi Show called "If It Wasn't For Your Love" (I think that's the title). She said it's a song she likes to sing for her mom or God. I just love the lyrics to the song. And the piano arrangement of course was beautiful as well. To me,

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101856834145166272004-11-30T14:55:00.000-08:002004-11-30T15:26:35.496-08:00

Mon amie, Nancy, kindly treated me out to a cool restaurant called Cha Cha Cha this morning. It serves Latin American-Caribbean food. We went there for brunch and we ordered the chilaquiles which were yummy and had a nice crunch to it. I especially liked the decor. It's very colorful and offbeat. Really makes you feel like you're in another country. Also, the service is good. I hope to have

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101777754214805652004-11-29T17:21:00.000-08:002004-11-29T17:22:34.216-08:00

Two musicians I like performed in the same night! I love a good line-up. More bang for my buck. I went to see two singer/songwriters at the Temple Bar in Santa Monica Tuesday night. The main act was Alexi Murdoch. I came to know his music last fall through KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic (the main source of excellent music). Alexi's music is mellow and his voice is soothing. He had a full band

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101777523556463042004-11-29T17:14:00.000-08:002004-11-29T17:24:00.646-08:00

"My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up the moonless sky. "Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." "Every second of the search is an

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101776934187563092004-11-29T17:07:00.000-08:002004-11-29T17:25:20.093-08:00

It's always exciting and refreshing to discover a new talented singer whose music is so satisfying. This time I was introduced to singer/songwriter Steve Reynolds when I happened to tune in to a live set he did on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic a few days ago. As I was listening, I thought, Hey! This guy sounds like Ryan Adams but a hundred times better. His music has more depth. The music is

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101776094478980192004-11-29T16:31:00.000-08:002004-11-29T17:26:53.193-08:00

Cool down-to-earth bar on swanky Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. They've got about 30 draft beers on tap, mostly California microbrews. You've got to try the sweet potato fries and the regular fries with the aioli mayonnaise dip. They are heavenly. Father's Office also has a good selection of tapas. Of course, they are traditionally all very salty foods so as to encourage you to imbibe more. I

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101762049768082062004-11-29T13:59:00.000-08:002004-11-29T17:35:32.253-08:00

Christine and I went to hear live music Friday night at the Knitting Factory: Rosie Thomas, Iron & Wine, and James Mercer were the three acts (all singer/songwriters). I went to see the first two whose music I've heard on KCRW. It was soooo cool to see them perform live. Rosie Thomas is incredible. She talks in this very high-pitched little-girl voice but when she sings she has this incredibly

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101761261289599912004-11-29T13:45:00.000-08:002004-11-29T17:44:19.246-08:00

I'm still trying to figure out The Hours. So far this is what I think the movie is about. It's about life and death, selfishness, longing, abandonment, fulfilment, and probably more... The movie is a parade of emotions. Deeply-felt emotions. I was so impressed by how accurately emotions were represented. I could relate to each character, the circumstances they were facing, and the emotions they

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101761102421251622004-11-29T13:44:00.000-08:002004-11-30T12:21:45.656-08:00

I've been waiting a long time to get my hands on this hot little CD. Groove Armada has produced a super-eclectic dance album that is just absolutely delightful. Lovebox is a mix of hip-hop, rock, techno, disco, soul, you name it, it's there. My favorite song is "Hands of Time," and I am head over heels in love with this song ever since I first heard it on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. This

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101760884342404532004-11-29T13:39:00.000-08:002004-11-30T12:14:24.980-08:00

This past Sunday my friend, Jane, and I headed out to Joshua Tree National Park which is about 2.5 hrs east of Los Angeles. After visiting Death Valley last year, I've fallen in love with the desert landscape so this was a real treat. We entered the park from the north and got some very helpful advice at the visiting center. After paying the $10 entrance fee to the park, our first destination was

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101760760517271602004-11-29T13:38:00.000-08:002004-11-30T12:16:40.090-08:00

This movie was kinda slow. But it was well worth watching because it has some of the most interesting, complex characters I've encountered out of all the films I've seen. Percy is a young woman who's just been released from prison and comes to a small town to start over again. She has a secret past. Hannah is an old, grouchy lady who owns the Spitfire Grill, where Percy gets a job as a waitress.

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101760673883534432004-11-29T13:33:00.000-08:002004-11-30T12:19:11.810-08:00

1. Charango by Morcheeba: It's trip-hop (whatever that means). Yes, this album is mellow but it's got some groovy beats that gets me shakin' a little. Thank God for the bass. My favorite song is "What New York Couples Fight About" (great title, eh?). And the funniest song is "Women Lose Weight" which is about a guy whose wife has gained weight over the years and isn't attractive anymore. So he

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101773060828469882004-11-29T13:13:00.000-08:002004-11-30T14:50:41.750-08:00

I thought I was never going to finish this book. It didn't start picking up until the title character finally appeared around page 200. Bronte must have had a lot of time on her hands to write a 600-page novel that is very, very stagnant . She's filled it with plenty of unnecessary characters who are for the most part very uninteresting. I think if I gave it more than just my cursory attention I

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101762608207516342004-11-29T13:09:00.000-08:002004-11-30T13:53:42.043-08:00

I was very impressed with the impeccable details that went into ABC's TV production of The Music Man. For sure it was very Disney-fied, and some people may hate that, but I liked it. Probably it helped that I didn't watch the classic 1962 version. I didn't mind that it was a very innocuous, unrealistic, and artificial production cuz heck it's a musical! Also, the dance numbers were well

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101762524067200032004-11-29T13:07:00.000-08:002004-11-30T13:00:48.053-08:00

I liked the first one better. Is it just me or did The Two Towers seem really campy? The dialogue, the facial expressions, the editing, and all the slo-mo action gave it a strong element of camp. I couldn't really take the movie seriously. Visually stunning though. I really want to go to NZ, and take the "Lord of The Rings" tour if there is such a thing. I was sad that the elf dude dies. What's

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101758843116942662004-11-29T13:06:00.000-08:002004-11-30T12:35:37.330-08:00

I'm not even going to provide you with a synopsis of the plot because there isn't one. The main characters in this flick are only good at dancing. The acting is painfully bad. They say their lines like robots. Maybe the fact that the script was also dismally bad didn't help the actors from the get-go. However, there were two notable members of the cast. Donna Murphy plays a deliciously bitchy

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101762161326361002004-11-29T13:01:00.000-08:002004-11-30T12:33:22.826-08:00

I watched a Japanese movie called Love Letter this past weekend and I can't shake off this film. To my surprise, I was extremely moved by it. I can't stop thinking about it for some reason. The last movie that had this kind of impact on me was coincidentally another Japanese movie called Spirited Away. That movie lingered with me for weeks. I guess it's because both films tell hauntingly

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9378720.post-1101752433501825092004-11-29T10:12:00.000-08:002004-11-30T12:30:59.890-08:00

I don't have much to say except that it's weirdly brilliant. Charlie Kaufman (the guy who wrote it) is a genius. Nicholas Cage was born to play Charlie Kaufman and his twin, Donald. He's really good at playing geeky, loser types. However, the guy who stole the show was Chris Cooper who plays John Laroche, an orchid poacher. I've been intrigued by Chris ever since I saw him for the first time in

Alice @ LAX TO YVRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13993241240684350862noreply@blogger.com0